User Reviews (8)

Showing 1-8 of 8

Steve W.
Road Racer [Nov 25, 2013]

Strength:

great all around road bike

Weakness:

none considering it is aluminum
original wheelset (see summary)

Have owned this bike since new in 2004. Was originally reserved for racing (it was our team bike)but eventually replaced by Xenith Team and has been relegated as a training bike ever since. I now have an S Works Venge so am in the process of selling the Bianchi. That being said, it has been an excellent ride, very compliant, not buzzy, quite snappy, lightweight (but obviously not as light as the other 2 bikes). It still would be the preferred bike for a reasonably flat century ride since it is the easiest to ride of the three. It climbs and accelerates well but not in the same league as the Jamis and S Works. The only negative comment would be the Shimano wheels that it comes with are mediocre and I replaced them with Ksyriums right away.

Similar Products Used:
Jamis Xenith Team
Specialized S Works Venge

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

Steve W. Road Racer

[Nov 25, 2013]

Strength:

great all around road bike

Weakness:
none considering it is aluminum
original wheelset (see summary)

Have owned this bike since new in 2004. Was originally reserved for racing (it was our team bike)but eventually replaced by Xenith Team and has been relegated as a training bike ever since. I now have an S Works Venge so am in the process of selling the Bianchi. That being said, it has been an excellent ride, very compliant, not buzzy, quite snappy, lightweight (but obviously not as light as the other 2 bikes). It still would be the preferred bike for a reasonably flat century ride since it is the easiest to ride of the three. It climbs and accelerates well but not in the same league as the Jamis and S Works. The only negative comment would be the Shimano wheels that it comes with are mediocre and I replaced them with Ksyriums right away.

Similar Products Used:
Jamis Xenith Team
Specialized S Works Venge

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

the beef
Recreational Rider [Dec 11, 2007]

Strength:

-Very light
-Responsive geometry
-Quick acceleration

Weakness:

-Shift cable placement

I bought this San Lorenzo frameset used through Craigslist. Since then, I've built it up with Campagnolo Veloce components and more recently Shimano Ultegra.

The frameset is astonishingly light - it's one of the lightest aluminum frames on the market, and weighs less than many carbon frames. At 1045 g for my 53 cm, the San Lorenzo is an great way to get a light machine.

The geometry is very race-like, with a horizontal top tube. Tracking is precise, but because of the responsiveness can feel 'twitchy', especially when out of the saddle. Acceleration is noticeably very quick. Climbing is a blast.

I have one or two complaints: the shift cable stops are placed a little too forward on the downtube for my liking, and the housing has no choice but to rub heavily on the head tube. Also, the variable-diameter tubing causes a LOT of annoying cable chatter if you forget to install those little rubber cable silencer 'donuts'.

Overall, though, the San Lorenzo is a very capable frame ready for racing. You can easily build it up to 15 lbs or less with the right mix of components.

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

the beef Recreational Rider

[Dec 11, 2007]

Strength:

-Very light
-Responsive geometry
-Quick acceleration

Weakness:
-Shift cable placement

I bought this San Lorenzo frameset used through Craigslist. Since then, I've built it up with Campagnolo Veloce components and more recently Shimano Ultegra.

The frameset is astonishingly light - it's one of the lightest aluminum frames on the market, and weighs less than many carbon frames. At 1045 g for my 53 cm, the San Lorenzo is an great way to get a light machine.

The geometry is very race-like, with a horizontal top tube. Tracking is precise, but because of the responsiveness can feel 'twitchy', especially when out of the saddle. Acceleration is noticeably very quick. Climbing is a blast.

I have one or two complaints: the shift cable stops are placed a little too forward on the downtube for my liking, and the housing has no choice but to rub heavily on the head tube. Also, the variable-diameter tubing causes a LOT of annoying cable chatter if you forget to install those little rubber cable silencer 'donuts'.

Overall, though, the San Lorenzo is a very capable frame ready for racing. You can easily build it up to 15 lbs or less with the right mix of components.

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

David
Road Racer [Mar 23, 2007]

Strength:

Lightweight, price, fairly stiff, and compliant for aluminum.

Weakness:

fragile paint, flimsy fork

I purchased the bike as a frameset on Ebay; thus, none of the components are the same. Overall, the frame is terrific. As previous reviewers have pointed out it is incredibly light. It has a reasonably stiff ride, but isn't terribly harsh. The paint looks good, but does not have a clear coat, looks bad when dirty, and scratches easily. The stock fork is garbage. It is also extremely light, but extremely flimsy. The star nut in the steerer tube also comes loose. I have a friend who rode the same bike and had the same fork problems, which suggests to me this is not an atypical problem.

I purchased the bike as a frameset on Ebay; thus, none of the components are the same. Overall, the frame is terrific. As previous reviewers have pointed out it is incredibly light. It has a reasonably stiff ride, but isn't terribly harsh. The paint looks good, but does not have a clear coat, looks bad when dirty, and scratches easily. The stock fork is garbage. It is also extremely light, but extremely flimsy. The star nut in the steerer tube also comes loose. I have a friend who rode the same bike and had the same fork problems, which suggests to me this is not an atypical problem.

-rear brake cable makes noise and scratches toptube (put the cable in a length of rubber tubing to fix that problem)
-doesn't have structural foam injected seat tube, so water could get into the BB area
-straight rear stays can transfer vibration to the rider
-grease and road grime show up easily on the celeste paint
-no aerodynamic features (like the Soloist or Look 485)

This is one of the greatest bikes available for a resonable price. The frame is well within the range of ultralight bikes (1000g for 49cm), without spending a fortune. The ride quality is good, although not as compliant as steel, but feels good. The San Lorenzo flies up hills, and doesn't flex at all when I'm out of the saddle hammering. The celeste paint must be kept clean to look good, but when the sun glints off it, there's nothing like it.

Weakness:
-rear brake cable makes noise and scratches toptube (put the cable in a length of rubber tubing to fix that problem)
-doesn't have structural foam injected seat tube, so water could get into the BB area
-straight rear stays can transfer vibration to the rider
-grease and road grime show up easily on the celeste paint
-no aerodynamic features (like the Soloist or Look 485)

This is one of the greatest bikes available for a resonable price. The frame is well within the range of ultralight bikes (1000g for 49cm), without spending a fortune. The ride quality is good, although not as compliant as steel, but feels good. The San Lorenzo flies up hills, and doesn't flex at all when I'm out of the saddle hammering. The celeste paint must be kept clean to look good, but when the sun glints off it, there's nothing like it.

Similar Products Used:
Bianchi XL Boron (2001)

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

R.Rice
Road Racer [Jun 19, 2005]

Strength:

Light
Looks awsome
Stiff
Don't see too many of them on the local rides

Weakness:

Shop could have given it to me?
Really can't think of any.

I recently purchased a 2004 frame set from the LBS on a "close out" deal.
After riding carbon fiber frames for the last 2.5 years(Trek 5200 and now 5500)I decided I wanted something stiffer and at the same time needed a back up bike.
I read a few reviews and had a couple of the locals insert their opinion on what they thought about alloy frames.I have to say that this frame in NOT as stiff and uncomfortable as some people have said.
I spent a reasonable amount of time getting properly fitted on the bike and since have put several hard rides in.
I have ridden it back to back with my Trek 5500.Honestly,I can tell a difference.The carbon frame is certainly smoother.However,on fast group rides I don't even notice that theres a different bike beneath me.
Unless I get out of the seat to hammer it.Then I see a huge difference.This bike accelerates noticably better than the composite bikes I have owned/own/ridden.
In all sincerity I do not regret building this bike.With a carbon post and good seat/fit it rides nice,handles well and accelerates like a bat out of hell.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 5200
Trek 5500

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

R.Rice Road Racer

[Jun 19, 2005]

Strength:

Light
Looks awsome
Stiff
Don't see too many of them on the local rides

Weakness:
Shop could have given it to me?
Really can't think of any.

I recently purchased a 2004 frame set from the LBS on a "close out" deal.
After riding carbon fiber frames for the last 2.5 years(Trek 5200 and now 5500)I decided I wanted something stiffer and at the same time needed a back up bike.
I read a few reviews and had a couple of the locals insert their opinion on what they thought about alloy frames.I have to say that this frame in NOT as stiff and uncomfortable as some people have said.
I spent a reasonable amount of time getting properly fitted on the bike and since have put several hard rides in.
I have ridden it back to back with my Trek 5500.Honestly,I can tell a difference.The carbon frame is certainly smoother.However,on fast group rides I don't even notice that theres a different bike beneath me.
Unless I get out of the seat to hammer it.Then I see a huge difference.This bike accelerates noticably better than the composite bikes I have owned/own/ridden.
In all sincerity I do not regret building this bike.With a carbon post and good seat/fit it rides nice,handles well and accelerates like a bat out of hell.

The cables bounce off the frame and make lots of little noises.
Very fragile top tubing (I got a little ding already when I let a friend try it out and she let it fall after trying to rest it against something)

So far I am really excited to have such a light bike. I have been hill climbing for the past week, and the feeling is great compared to the other bike I ride (which, albeit much less fancy, was not bad at all (Specialized Allez Elite A1 Max)).

Similar Products Used:
Not all that similar Specialized Allez Elite 2003

Weakness:
The cables bounce off the frame and make lots of little noises.
Very fragile top tubing (I got a little ding already when I let a friend try it out and she let it fall after trying to rest it against something)

So far I am really excited to have such a light bike. I have been hill climbing for the past week, and the feeling is great compared to the other bike I ride (which, albeit much less fancy, was not bad at all (Specialized Allez Elite A1 Max)).

Similar Products Used:
Not all that similar Specialized Allez Elite 2003

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

BC00
Triathlete [Oct 08, 2004]

Strength:

Super light about 18lbs on a 63cm. Top of the line components. Wheels are funky but work wheel well with my beef.
Weight and steering make this a hill champ.

Weakness:

A little road chatter from the rear brake cable on the top tube. Stiff ride, not for the weekend couch riders. But a good bike for Crits and Potnetial Tri geeks that want to have a solid bike. I guess that makes me a geek, oh well!

First real road bike. Or at least most expensive to date.
I am 6'3 210# with long skinny bird legs.
I am still in the cable break in stage with about 350 miles logged in 3 weeks. Longest tow is about 50 miles.
I have hit everything from hills/mountains to flat runs and train tracks.
Bike is solid and very responsive. Meaning it is stiff. Components are great. No issues yet to report. Last years reviews are partially true, in regards to the stiff ride. But fortunately I do not mind feeling the road a little, it's like the guys at the beach say. "Soul Surfing"
Good pick-up and I am looking forward to logging a lot of miles on the Celeste chariot.

Super light about 18lbs on a 63cm. Top of the line components. Wheels are funky but work wheel well with my beef.
Weight and steering make this a hill champ.

Weakness:
A little road chatter from the rear brake cable on the top tube. Stiff ride, not for the weekend couch riders. But a good bike for Crits and Potnetial Tri geeks that want to have a solid bike. I guess that makes me a geek, oh well!

First real road bike. Or at least most expensive to date.
I am 6'3 210# with long skinny bird legs.
I am still in the cable break in stage with about 350 miles logged in 3 weeks. Longest tow is about 50 miles.
I have hit everything from hills/mountains to flat runs and train tracks.
Bike is solid and very responsive. Meaning it is stiff. Components are great. No issues yet to report. Last years reviews are partially true, in regards to the stiff ride. But fortunately I do not mind feeling the road a little, it's like the guys at the beach say. "Soul Surfing"
Good pick-up and I am looking forward to logging a lot of miles on the Celeste chariot.